Russia resurrects the Admiral Pavel Nakhimov two decades later
Of Soviet origin, the ship, formerly known as the Kalinin, has undergone modernisation and adaptation to the demands of today's wars in order to be used in the current war between the Russian Federation and Ukraine.
With 48 years behind it, the combat ship has been a protagonist in many of the conflicts between Russia and the Soviet Union. It made its debut as part of the Northern Fleet in 1989, although it later became a prominent part of the Pacific Fleet. After the end of the Cold War, the ship was never used again and was berthed at the Sevmash facility.
Repairs began in 1997. Halted between 2011 and 2012 the modernisation of the Admiral Nakhimov resumed in January 2014. The Russian Navy reported that after the repair work, the Nakhimov ship could join the Pacific Fleet, but is expected to remain in the Northern Fleet until 2020.
In 2021, there were reports that the ship's return would be delayed until "at least" 2023, and in February 2022, Sevmash facility CEO Mikhail Budnichenko noted that the ship's delivery was scheduled for 2022.
Main features of the Pavel Nakhimov vessel
With a length of 250 metres, a width of 18.5 metres and a height of 59 metres, it is one of the Russian Navy's flagships. Armoured on the outside and divided into 18 parts that close separately in case of emergency, the ship's security after its modernisation makes it one of the most impassable warships.
In addition, it has two nuclear propulsion engines and a steam turbine accelerator, with an estimated power output of 140,000 hp. This power is required because of the ship's weight of 26,000 tonnes.
Personnel
With more than 727 sailors and 18 special operations personnel, the Nakhimov sits alongside the Kirov.
Armament
If there is one thing that characterises Russian ships, it is that they are heavily armed. The Nakhimov contains around 80 missiles of different types, including high-precision hypersonic "Zircon" missiles, calibre cruise missiles, supersonic "Onyx" anti-ship missiles, "Packet-NK" and "Outfit" anti-submarine systems, and "Fort-M" and "Pantsir-M" anti-aircraft missiles.
Part of the important innovations that the Russians have developed on the ship are radars. Among them they put the focus on a new three-dimensional search radar with a range of 450 km and radars that control missile launches.
The war with Ukraine continues unabated
As the Russians advance their strategies and build up their navy, the Ukrainians claim to have sunk a small ship in the Black Sea. In Russia, investigators said the Russian military transport plane that crashed last month was shot down by two US Patriot missiles fired by forces in Kiev.
Ukraine's Military Intelligence Service, known by its Ukrainian acronym GUR, on Wednesday night released a video of a drone strike on the missile-armed Russian warship Ivanovets.
Footage posted on GUR's social media shows several naval drones colliding with a ship and exploding. According to the GUR, the ship was patrolling near Lake Douzlav, west of Crimea, when it was attacked by GUR special forces. The lake has been a bay since 1961, when a channel was dug connecting it to the Black Sea.
The war in Ukraine, which enters its second year on 24 February, is plagued by disinformation and the Associated Press said it was impossible to independently verify the claims of both sides.
